In today’s post I will be reviewing; Acrylic Solutions exploring mixed media layer by layer by Chris Cozen and Julie Prichard.

Acrylic Solutions by Chris Cozen & Julie Prichard

Title: Acrylic Solutions exploring mixed media layer

Author: Chris Cozen and Julie Prichard

Publisher: North Light Books

ISBN: 13: 978-1-4403-2112-2

ISBN 10: 1-4403-2112-4

My Reason for Buying

Having taken online mixed media classes with Julie and Chris, I was keen to see what was in their book and to learn more techniques to use with acrylics. I tell you this as often a review is based on how well the book lived up to the expectations of its reader, for their purpose ;)

Contents

In Julies Words

About this book

Chapter 1; The Basics; Design, colour, materials and more

Chapter 2: Layering a good foundation

Chapter 3: Adding Structure

Chapter 4: Developing Complexity

Chapter 5: Finessing the details

Pros/Cons

Pros

Lots of techniques covered

Lots of inspiration

Finished examples as well as step by steps

A great way to find out about gels, pastes and what can be done with them

Think of this as a jumping off point, you can duplicate their technique or take it in your own direction.

Cons

A link to suppliers of materials used in the book would have been useful.

Throughout the book Golden Products are referred to, yet as a number of people on Amazon have pointed out, these aren’t so easy to find outside the USA. There are links to Julie and Chris’s website in the book and from Chris’s site you can find a link to Golden’s site which will give you details of stockists.

Value for Money

Excellent

Would I buy it Again?

Yes, this is one of those must have books.

Summing up

I’ve enjoyed this book on so many levels. Its a great book just to look through and be inspired by the projects, if you want to try different gels/pastes but have no idea where to start or what they might do, it gives you great ideas for that. You don’t need to read it in the order that it’s written, find a section or technique that appeals and give it a go.

There are so many books that promise the world and leave you feeling cheated, this is NOT one of those. It doesn’t claim to have all the answers but it does give you a great overview of lots of techniques that leave you full of ideas and rushing to your supplies.

It took me a while to buy the book as having taken several of Julie’s classes I was worried that it would cover too much ground I’d already learnt. Yes I recognize excerpts from the classes but that’s no bad thing, it’s nice to have a recap and if the rest of the book is excerpts from some of their other classes I’ve not yet taken, then this has only fueled me to want to take more.

If you have previous experience with acrylics and want to stretch your techniques and try new things, this book is for you. It could be used by a newbie to mixed media, especially if you are one of those ‘What if’ kind of artists and like to experiment with your materials to see what they can do.

Yes, the book is biased toward Golden products and because they are ARTIST quality materials they are the higher price tag but its not unusual for any artist writing a book to quote you the materials that they use the most. I have used a good few of Golden’s products and can vouch for their quality. Fluid acrylics are fantastic and truly deserve the hype and price tag they ask for.

Links

If you like the book and wish it went further or deeper into the topics, check out Julie’s website as there are online classes available that go into even more detail.

As a break from tradition, I thought it might make a change if I shared some sites that I particularly enjoy visiting with you. Next up is Julie Prichard. I adore Julie and her work as it has so many layers its wonderful, she is a mixed media artist and since this months theme is Paint, it was a perfect site.

I have followed Julie for a number of years and she teaches wonderful online classes too. I found her work thanks to Suzi Blu and she also regularly has work in the Stampington publications.

It’s coming up holiday time and the good weather means long tutorials are not likely to go down well at the moment as either everyone is just going or coming back from holidays or battling with their over growing gardens.

Fear not tutorials will return, and this will give me time to create some crackers for you for the later months of the year ;) In the meantime if you are missing your tutorial fixes, check out the Tutorials Tab at the top of the blog for goodies you may have missed from the archives.

Do stop by and have a look at Julie’s wonderful site, leave her a comment and say who sent ya if she asks ;)

Today I would like to share a few pictures of the painting I created for Lesson 7 of, Julie Prichard’s online class; Layer Love.

My painting for Lesson 7 of Layer Love Class

My painting for Lesson 7 of Layer Love Class

Close up of the drip lines, notice the two tones of colour in them.

My painting for Lesson 7 of Layer Love Class, close up.

Not my favorite colours and I struggled again with this one. Strangely when I like the colours in the project, I seem to get on better? This was another victim of trying too hard. This has always been something that hampers my progress with all kinds of projects. I think this is one of those go with the flow kind of styles till you find your own take on it.

Thanks Jule for your ongoing help, encouragement and support in these classes.

Links

If you would like to learn how I created the painting do join up to Julie Prichard’s Layer Love Class. It is Julie’s techniques that I have used to create this.

Today I want to share a few pictures of the painting I created for lesson 6 of Julie Prichard’s on line class, Layer Love.

I struggled with this one, the painting was a victim of my ‘trying too hard’. The painting is ok as a stand alone picture, but in comparison with the project set in the class it is too different. I think the thing with this style of painting is that the painting evolves as you go along, making it difficult to recreate a good copy of a particular painting. I need a lot more practice.

Here is the finished painting though.

My painting for Lesson 6; Layer Love Class.

Close up detail, of my painting, for Lesson 6 of Layer Love Class.

Links

If you would like to learn how I created the painting, do join up to Julie Prichard’s Layer Love Class. It is Julie’s techniques that I have used to create this.

Regular followers of this blog will know that I am doing Julie Prichard’s online classes. I just wanted to put a little post up to encourage anyone interested in getting hands on with paint, without fear to go check out Julie’s classes.

At the time of writing, Julie currently has three online classes.

Layer Love

This class is all about learning Julie’s style of backgrounds. Which is such an understatement as to what you get out of the class. Each class builds on an earlier one, and before you know it you are comfortable with the paints and bursting with ideas of how it will work for you. Weather you are a cardmaker, scrapbooker, art Journal fan or just wanting to explore what can be done with paint and imagination, then this class is for you. There are a list of the supplies you need listed on the class page, so you can find out what you will need before class starts. If you are on a budget….do what I did, sign up for the class and find out how to do things and gather your supplies as you go. It’s nearly Christmas after all…you could ask Santa for paint…if you’ve been really good :)

Art Journal Super Nova; In the Beginning

This section of the class is all about learning how to create three kinds of book that you can use for art journaling. You can easily alter the kinds of paper used in the books for your own purpose and they make excellent gifts with the holiday season rapidly approaching. When the pennies are tight, the hand made gift made with love is even more appreciated. There are video demonstrations of each project, and once you have joined you can watch the videos at a time that suits you, day or night. Julie is on hand to offer help and advice for your questions. There is a supplies list for the class on the website, so you can find out what you need before you start. If you have been paper crafting for a while, you are very likely to have MOST of the stuff already.

Art Journaling Super Nova Part Two

OK this class has only just begun at the time of writing, so I can’t do a review type comment at this stage. This section of the class is dedicated to learning various methods of art journaling, if you have taken part one, you can work in the journals you created in that, or in any kind of journal you have to hand.

So how does it work.

You go to Julie’s website and click on the workshops tab at the top of the page. Select the class you want and pay up. Julie sends you an email with a link to the Land of Lost Luggage network on Ning. You do need to join Ning, but it is free, and in your settings you can choose what information is available to other students. Create a Ning ID and accept Julie’s invitation to the network and to the class you have joined and you are in. It is as simple as that.

I have always wanted to learn about art, but would never have found the courage to attend a class at a college or similar. If that sounds like you then, I can highly recommend Julie’s class. You will find friendly class mates and a VERY kind, supportive and encouraging teacher. (Trying not to sound like the biggest suck up!!) but if you are on the fence about taking classes, it can be intimidating to take the step and actually do one of these. You work at your own pace, and if you want advice or help just post your question in the network and Julie will help you. I was very shy about posting my finished pieces in the network, but the feedback I received made the leap of faith, SO worth it.

So am I on commission for writing this? NO. I am just really pleased with just how much I’ve learnt from these classes, how amazing Julie has been for support and advice. I just want anyone who reads this blog and who has been wanting for years to enjoy painting to learn more, in a fun supportive way, to find a great teacher and a wonderful community to learn in.

Links

Here is a link to Julie Prichard’s website, where you can find out more about the classes I’ve mentioned.

Today’s post is a shameless love in and advert for Julie Prichard’sLayer Love class over on Ning. I really want to learn how to paint, I’ve always tried and not got very far, so when I saw Julie was offering this online class I was jumping up and down. I love her style and really wanted to learn how to create the grungie backgrounds she is famous for. Sadly I thought I had missed my chance as registration for Layer Love closed before I had available budget.

Luckily for me and for you too, is that Julie has now reopened registration, so we can all get a chance to share some Layer Love. I joined earlier this week and now I’m desperate to get hold of the required paints, so I can give these new techniques a go.

Are you on a tight budget and worry that you can’t afford the supplies, as well as the class at the same time?

Why not get the class now, see how to do the techniques and invest in the materials a bit at a time. You get access to the class videos till Spring 2010 so there is plenty of time ;)

If you like the Tim Holtz grungie backgrounds, you are going to love Julie’s style, I’ve added links below so you can have a look at her work. Hope to see you soon, over on Layer Love.

News Updates

New projects have been added to the tabs across the top of the blog.
Check out the 'About' tab, for Challenge themes and free downloadable Calendar Pages are now on there too. Now you can access these all year long.
Just had a tidy up of the side bar and joined Pinterest, do use the follow button to keep up to date with new posts and updates.
Have fun
Billie :)

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